Cars & Clay

[TLRam1]

I have a Mustang that looked like it had been rained on by acid rain. It had dripped all over the paint and would not come off, thought my paint job was ruined. Tried some wax and that seemed to work somewhat so with elbow grease and a double waxing, that brought it back to life.

Before I knew better, I grilled in the garage on the Webber and that left soot all over the car, my house was painted and looks to have over-spray on the car even though I parked it in the church parking lot behind me.

Researched and came up with the clay detail, it works! Car is smooth, my hand glides across, I have the hood complete except for a area so people can feel the difference, it is drastic. I thought all the contaminates on the paint had ruined it.  Now every time I go outside I run my hand over the car, I do have a cover now but that was after the fact. I have had the car a while.   

[hootmon]

I over sprayed my wife's black bike..
It had little white specks all over it..
Someone suggested a clay bar to fix the issue..
The clay bar took the over spray paint like it wasn't even there.. Just wipe, and it was gone. I was amazed!!

[Jerry G Turner]

Good to know I have seen clay bars but have never tried them.

[lragan]

Sounds like something I should have in stock.  Do they function properly after storing for long periods?  Where did you get one, and how much did it cost?

Thanks

[TLRam1]

Sounds like something I should have in stock.  Do they function properly after storing for long periods?  Where did you get one, and how much did it cost?

Thanks

It was this one, Mothers makes one also Mother Gold Clay kit or something. I researched the heck out of this, youtube videos, forums and such looking for direction on something new and I did not want to make the paint worse.

I needed to grab something while I was in Walmart to try so I grabbed the Meguiars. This kit contained

1. Spray lube,
2. Two clay bars
3. Towel for 19.00.

I will probably get the Nanoskin disk as that is suppose to be much faster from guys who have used the clay bars, nanoskin mitt and nanoskin towel.

Most auto parts store will have the Mothers or Meguiars, Walmart had the Meguiares I picked up, this was a test for me and I didn't care what they had. You can buy the clay and lube by themselves as I will do to become more equipped to finish the Mustang.   

I went out around 5 times last night to feel the paint on the car, I do it when I walk by the car now.

[lragan]

Cool.  Thanks!

[rojdan2]

I also use clay bar to clean the windshield of my car.

[TLRam1]

I also use clay bar to clean the windshield of my car.

Yes it is suppose to be good for cleaning the glass, thanks for the reminder.

[MagnaMan]

I've used clay that I had around for years. It will store well if you keep it wrapped in plastic. But I also keep mine in the house and not in the garage heat.

The biggest thing is to keep it clean. Eventually it will pick up enough dirt from your finish that it's not malleable. And some detailers say if you drop it on the ground then throw it away because you just turned it into sandpaper.

One tip I picked up from a website is to a good way to test the surface to see if it's time to clay it. Put your hand in think plastic bag like a grocery bag. It will enhance you sense of feel as you run your fingertips across the clean painted surface. (Of course the surface should be cleanly washed or you'll be sanding it.)

[TLRam1]

I used a baggie.

[TLRam1]

The clay bar worked well except he working area is small for a car, after much researched I bought a Nanoskin Pad (for a DA polisher or similar) that I used by hand fearing a power tool would damage or mar my paint.

How do you say, that was the cat's meow! Much larger surface area, no working the clay and it was fast! Being cautious I used it with the recommended Glide from the same mfg hoping to recover my paint on the Mustang and not throw the towel in that the paint was ruined.

Once competed I started the wax job, unsatisfied with the lack of shine, possible a bit of oxidation and swirls in the paint over the years even though it stays in my garage covered, maybe from the previous owner. More research lead me to buy a Dual Action Polisher and Ultimate Polish from Meguiars, the wet shine ect. never works for me.

After many hours watching videos how to correct paint issues.....next up was Ultimate Compound from Meguiars, this my friends did the trick. Took out many of the swirls, oxidation and left me for the first time in my life the "Wet Shine" look I only read about. Waxed it and we are done.

[TLRam1]

Photos

In the first two photos look to the left of the Blue tape, you will see where I stopped coming towards the center of the hood. That's the "wet shine" I am referring to.

The next two are the rear bumper before and after photos.

[TLRam1]

One more of the rear bumper.

And the finished car, although the hood doesn't show up well it looks like the side of the car.

[LIMagna]

Nice work!  Nothing like the satisfaction of a job well done

[MagnaMan]

I always find it kind of relaxing and refreshing to polish and restore finishes likes this. It looks good from here. So be sure to keep us informed as to how long it keeps the wet look. That's what I am wondering.